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African Union – Youth Envoy Application Deadline – May 15

African Heads of State and Government in their Decision Assembly/AU/Dec. 591(XXVI) declared 2017 as the year for “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth” and called for the development of a comprehensive roadmap with clear deliverables and milestones to guide the Member States and Regional Economic Communities on key steps to take, beyond 2017, towards harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa.

This decision was based on the realization that in order to achieve sustainable development and meet the aspirations of Agenda 2063 that envisions the “Africa We Want”, Africa must accelerate and increase strategic investments in its young people who constitute the majority of its population.

It is against this backdrop that AUC developed its youth engagement strategy which recognizes the centrality of young people in driving continental development; the major objective of this strategy is breaking barriers to direct communication with African youth.

Within the framework of the implementation of this strategy, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, during the 30th Ordinary Session of AU Heads of State and Government Assembly, in his speech at the opening session announced the upcoming appointment of an AU Youth Envoy.

The Youth Envoy shall be the spokesperson of African youths before continental decision-making bodies. He/she shall encourage AU Member States to define and implement youth-related policies at national, regional and continental levels. He/she shall also advocate for better youth mainstreaming in decision-making and will promote African core values across the continent and beyond. The AU Youth Envoy will also have the critical task to reconcile AU efforts on youth development with the aspirations of African youths, help in enhancing AU response to youth needs, and break communication barriers between the African Union and African youths.

It is within this context that the African Union Commission is hereby launching a call for nominations for the position of AU Youth Envoy who will be assigned to the Chairperson’s office and will directly report to him, while working in close collaboration with HRST Department. This call is open to all qualified young Africans. The scope and focus of the work of AU Youth Envoy will reflect AU vision and especially Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 “An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential of its people, especially its women and youth and caring for children…” which focuses on youth engagement and empowerment.